Potential blood cancer treatment tested

Immune System Therapeutics has launched a clinical trial to test its breakthrough treatment for terminal blood cancers

Immune System Therapeutics Ltd (IST) has launched a clinical trial to test its breakthrough treatment for terminal blood cancers.

The Australian medical research company has genetically engineered an antibody drug that binds specifically to a target protein found on the surface of some blood cancer cells. Laboratory studies, using cells taken from patients with a type of blood cancer called multiple myeloma, have shown that the antibody works with the human immune system to induce death of the cancer cells. It is anticipated that the antibody will potentially reduce the number of cancerous cells in multiple myeloma patients and improve patient health and wellbeing.

IST has commenced a Phase 1 trial in patients with multiple myeloma and to date six patients have been treated at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. Results so far indicate that the antibody has no side effects and final results are expected later this year.